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" Current research focuses include gender, the attention economy and neuroscience, and aging."
Tara Cheyenne Friedenberg
Masters of Fine Arts in the Faculty of Communication, Art and Technology
Tell us a little about yourself, including what inspires you to learn and continue in your chosen field
Tara Cheyenne Friedenberg is an award-winning creator, performer, choreographer, director, writer, and artistic director of Tara Cheyenne Performance, working across disciplines in film, dance, theatre, and experimental performance. She is renowned as a trailblazer in interdisciplinary performance and as a mighty performer "who defies categorization on any level." Along with her own creations, Tara has collaborated with many theatre companies and artists, including: Zee Zee Theatre, Bard on the Beach, ItsaZoo Theatre, The Arts Club, Boca Del Lupo, Ruby Slippers, The Firehall Arts Centre, and Vertigo Theatre (Calgary).
With a string of celebrated solo shows to her credit (including bANGER, Goggles, Porno Death Cult, I can’t remember the word for I can’t remember, Body Parts, and Pants), multidisciplinary collaborations, commissions and boundary bending ensemble creations, Tara's work is celebrated both nationally and internationally. Tara is known for her unique and dynamic hybrid of dance, comedy, and theatre. She is sought after for creating innovative movement for theatre and has performed her full-length solos and ensemble works around the world (highlights: DanceBase/Edinburgh, South Bank Centre/London, On the Boards/Seattle USA, High Performance Rodeo/Calgary, etc.). Her most recent solo, Body Parts, premiered at The Cultch in May and is currently on tour. Current research focuses include gender, the attention economy and neuroscience, and aging. Tara lives on the unceded Coast Salish territories with her partner, composer Marc Stewart, and their child Jasper.
Why did you choose to come to SFU?
SFU has an exceptional MFA program and is in my home town.
How would you describe your research or your program to a family member?
Dance meets comedy
What three (3) keywords would you use to describe your research?
Dance, Comedy, Theatre
How have your courses, RA-ships, TA-ships, or non-academic school experiences contributed to your academic and/or professional development?
So far so good. I feel like I’m learning so much from the faculty and my class mates.
Have you been the recipient of any major or donor-funded awards? If so, please tell us which ones and a little about how the awards have impacted your studies and/or research
Colin McPhee Grad School in Fine Arts award has made it possible for me to fully engage in my studies as a parents and a professional artist.